Following the contour lines of the rocky cliffs of Alicante by the Bay of Calpe sits Ricardo Bofill’s Postmodern casbah; La Muralla Roja, Spanish for ‘The Red Wall.’

Formed like a Fortress, La Muralla Roja is a modern interpretation of traditional Arab Mediterranean architecture. Inspired by the Mediterranean tradition of the casbah, Catalonian architect Ricardo Bofill’s labyrinthine building stands tall creating a vertical silhouette in the landscape.

The design corresponds to a precise geometric plan based on the typology of the Greek cross, with service towers, which contain kitchens and bathrooms at the point at which they intersect. The geometric design evokes a constructivist aesthetic, with “its labyrinth-like circulation, overlapping stairs, impossible balconies and endless series of patios.” Containing a total of 50 apartments, La Murala Roja departs from the traditional division between public and private space with its roof terraces, swimming pool, sauna and solaria, reserved for the residents’ use.

The external surfaces are painted in various tones of red, accentuating the contrast with the surrounding landscape. Vivid tones of blue cover stairs and circulation surfaces contrasting or blending with the sky, depending on the weather.

The geometric forms and use of vivid colours contribute to Bofill’s exquisitely striking design.